Thinning Lips, Fine Lines & Lost Definition? Here’s How to Get Your Smile Confidence Back..
- Pixie Victoria Sayers
- Aug 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Our lips are one of the first features people notice about us, they’re expressive, feminine, and a key part of a youthful-looking face. But as we age, many women start to notice changes even in their 40s, that can feel a little disheartening.
Fine lines, lipstick that bleeds, lips that look thinner than they used to, sound familiar?
These are completely natural changes of ageing and whilst ageing is a privilege, it doesn’t mean we have to put up with it.
Let’s talk about why lips age, what changes to expect and the options of subtle, natural treatments that can help restore softness and volume without making you look “done”.
How and Why Do Lips Change With Age?
As we get older, our lips don’t just lose volume, the skin around the mouth changes too, which can make the lips look even smaller.
Here’s what happens:
Loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid – These are the building blocks that keep lips plump and hydrated. As they decrease, lips become thinner and less defined.
Reduction in fat and bone support – The structure of our skin and bones of the mouth change, which can make lips look like they’ve “shrunk” over time.
Fine lines and smoker’s lines – Even if you’ve never smoked, repeated movements (like drinking through a straw, whistling or pursing your lips) can lead to vertical lines around the mouth.
Easily compromised skin barrier - A poor skin lipid barrier meaning lesser ability to retain hydration in the tissues. Thinner skin is more fragile and prone to irritation.
Downturned mouth corners – The corners of the mouth can start to turn downwards, sometimes making us look sad or miserable, even when we don't feel it.
Loss of natural colour - Less blood flow and slower cell turnover can make lips appear paler and less defined.
Common Concerns I Hear in Clinic:
“My lipstick bleeds into the lines around my mouth.”
“I used to have such full lips and I feel like they've deflated."
"I look miserable but I don't feel it."
“I just want my lips to look like they used to, not fake or overfilled.”
If any of these sound like you, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to rejuvenate lips subtly and beautifully, without making you look like you’ve “had work done.”
Treatments That Can Help – While Still Looking Natural
Here are some of the most effective and popular options I recommend in clinic:
Subtle Lip Filler for Volume & Definition
Forget everything you’ve seen about overfilled, unnatural lips, because you won't find them here at Victoria's Aesthetics.
Identifying suitable patients for lip filler treatment and respecting individual anatomy is key.
Strategically placed small amounts of dermal filler can:
Restore small amounts of lost volume
Enhance the lip border and cupid’s bow for more definition
Improve hydration by attracting water to the area
Enhance thinning lips
Treating the 'Barcode Lines' Around the Mouth
Lip lines, commonly called 'barcode lines' or 'smokers lines' are a common concern with lip ageing, even in people that have never smoked. Because our mouths are the most animate part of the face, always moving; eating, talking, even breathing and repetitive movements over a long period causes lines to appear as the muscle contracts beneath it.
Fine vertical lines around the mouth can be softened using:
Medical grade skincare including prescription strength products targeting skin thickness and improving texture.
Small and strategically amounts of a thin filler placed under the skin to smooth lines without adding bulk.
Skin boosters to improve hydration and elasticity.
Microneedling to stimulate collagen and resurface the skin.
Lifting the Corners of the Mouth
Another concern that many people come to Victoria's Aesthetics about, is a downturned mouth. Telling me that they feel they look sad or people have said that they look grumpy or miserable, but actually they don't feel like this at all.
How the outer image of themselves, isn't reflecting how they feel on the inside.
"I just want to look happy, like I feel".
To improve this,
Dermal filler to the marionette lines to provide support to the lower face beneath the corners of the lower lip.
Anti-wrinkle treatment can reduce the muscles pulling down at the sides of the mouth.
Hydration Infusion
Dry, chapped lips are a sure sign of dehydration to the tissues. As our skin ages, it thins, leading to cracked lips, which are more prone to UV damage and irritation.
Skin boosters are injectables that flood the skin with hyaluronic acid, improving hydration and texture.
Many people notice their lips feel softer, smoother, and more nourished after a course of skin booster treatments.
Skin boosters give a temporary effect of volume due to the hyaluronic acid as well as minor trauma from the needle injection, however this usually only lasts until the initial swelling reduces.
Skin boosters can be a good place to start if you're anxious about lip filler; because the volume effect is temporary, you can get a good idea to see what lip filler could look like for you.
Medical-Grade Skincare
I use and recommend Obagi Medical products in clinic as I love that there is a wealth of scientific evidence behind each product and use them myself, with incredible improvements!
Prescription strength Tretionin is key for treating fine lines and uneven skin texture. Contributing to an overall glowy skin appearance.
Use a lip balm with SPF, it's a must. We stock Albus & Flora lip balms in clinic.
They are SPF30, UVA and UVB protection and come in 4 different colours as well as a clear balm. They create a barrier to provide protection from the sun, as UV exposure accelerates lip ageing, as well as helping to retain moisture.
When Should You Start?
There is no specific time you need to start. Everyone is individual in how their lips and surrounding mouth area will change with age, dependant on genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors. Many women choose to start with tiny, preventative tweaks and this keeps lips and the lower face looking youthful for longer and often means you need less treatment later on.
Ready To Love Your Smile Again?
If you’ve been noticing age related changes to your lips/mouth area and want a subtle, refreshed look, it might be time to explore your options. The right treatment can make you feel more confident, expressive, and like the best version of yourself, without anyone guessing you’ve had anything done.
Book a consultation with me and we can discuss your options.
No obligations, no pressure, just honest advice about what would work best for you.
Let me help you gain your smile confidence back!
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